Page 88 of Shadow of Doubt
“Would make sense if it’s Tarver,” Nick said.
A man slid down. She backed up to him, and he skimmed his hands over her body in an intimate way that said he thought he had a right to be touching her.
Colin gritted his teeth.
“Can you zoom in on the guy’s face?” Nick asked.
“Can do.” Antonio enlarged the picture.
Nick stared at the screen. “It’s not Tarver.”
“Not Tarver.” Colin gaped at the image. “But who then?”
Nick cast a horrified look at Colin. “Luka Albertelli.”
“The organized crime boss?” That panic threatened to take Colin down again.
“Yes,” Nick said.
Colin’s mouth dried, and he couldn’t say a word.
“You should be able to enlarge it and get the license plate,” Nick said.
Antonio did as directed, and they had a clear shot of an Oregon plate.
“I’ll need you to email that video to me,” Nick said.
“I’m not sure I know how to do that.”
“Then get up and let me drive this thing.” He nearly shoved the guy out of his chair and took control.
Nick was thinking clearly, where Colin had allowed the shock to take control. He shook his arms to get his blood flowing and get rid of his brain fog. He couldn’t determine if Brooklyn was in more danger with this crime boss than if she’d gone to meet Tarver. And why would she meet Albertelli anyway? Did it have something to do with the death of his brother? If so, what?
“Done.” Nick got to his feet and looked at Antonio. “Thanks, man. This woman is one of my best friends, and your video is the best lead we have in finding her alive.”
Antonio’s forehead creased. “So that guy who frisked her isn’t a cop, then?”
“No,” Colin said. “He’s the furthest thing from one, and we have to find her before he hurts her.”
Before he hurts her.The words kept pounding in Colin’s head on the way to the SUV. He had no appetite and could barelystand the smell of the burritos now. He only hoped and prayed that Nick had a quick way to track down that jacked-up pickup, as Colin was fresh out of ideas on how to find the man before he hurt Brooklyn.
God’s peace covered Brooklyn like the sun warming her body, and she flung out her arms to let more of the rising sun’s warmth caress her skin. To aid in believing in a great God who could bring the sun up every morning. Surely, if He could do that, He could protect her from the monster-sized jaws of a jaguar. She drifted into a lovely warm trance of God’s love.
Something slammed into her back. Shoving her toward the floor. She whipped her hands down just in time to prevent face-planting. She hit hard. Her breath evaporated.
“I don’t abide praying in my presence.” Luka’s acerbic tone came from behind.
His foot. That’s what hit her. He’d kicked her as if she were a piece of garbage. He cared so little for her as a human being, she was certain he would toss her in with the big cat.
“Get up,” he demanded. “We have work to do.”
She didn’t move as she panted to catch her breath.
“I said get up.” He kicked her in the side with a heavy booted foot.
She screamed in pain and rolled to her side to pull her knees to her chest. Nausea assailed her, and she breathed hard to stem it off.
“Quit being such a big baby.” His tone was much like that of the jaguar that was reacting to the yelling with low warning growls. Threatening and intimidating. “Now get up or you’ll get another one to the back.”
